Young peoples' experiences of expressing their gender identity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experience of 'passing' for young transgender males
IRAS ID
244921
Contact name
Hannah Wilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The number of young people seeking support with feelings of gender dysphoria (significant distress with one’s birth-assigned sex) has significantly increased in recent years. It is important that we develop a better understanding of how to support these young people, particularly in light of the elevated rates of mental and physical health difficulties experienced by this group in comparison with their peers.
Current research suggests that being perceived by others as the gender you identify with, sometimes known as 'passing', may be important for the development of gender identity and psychological wellbeing of some transgender people. ‘Passing’ may also influence transgender young peoples’ mental wellbeing by protecting them from the elevated levels of stigmatisation, discrimination, and victimisation typically experienced by this group. Though in these examples ‘passing’ serves to reduce distress, the importance of passing has also been found to have a negative influence on some transgender peoples’ wellbeing (for example, experiencing increased anxiety and thoughts about others’ perceptions of oneself). Further exploration of ‘passing’ may therefore provide insight into the emotional distress experienced by many transgender young people.
Whilst the experience of ‘passing’ has been investigated with transgender adults, there is a lack of research into whether young people share these experiences. The current study aims to explore how transgender adolescents experience ‘passing’ and how this influences their wellbeing through a qualitative study. 10 adolescents from the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) will be asked about their experiences in a semi-structured interview at the clinic lasting up to 90 minutes.
It is hoped that the findings will inform both specialist gender services and the wider network of services supporting young transgender people, including mental and physical healthcare and social care services, and schools.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0263
Date of REC Opinion
10 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion